A mutation of the Drosophila sodium pump alpha subunit gene results in bang-sensitive paralysis.

Abstract

A bang-sensitive enhancer trap line was isolated in a behavioral screen. The flies show a weak bang-sensitive paralysis, recovering after about 7 s. The P element insert is localized at 93B1-2 on the salivary chromosomes, the site of the (Na+,K+)ATPase alpha subunit gene. Molecular characterization demonstrates that the transposon is inserted into the first intron of this gene. This insertion leads to normal-sized transcripts, but reduced levels of expression. This change is also reflected in lower amounts of a normal-sized alpha subunit protein. Mutant flies show a much greater sensitivity to ouabain, likewise indicating, on a functional level, a reduction in Na+ pump activity. Furthermore, the bang-sensitive behavior can also be mimicked by injecting sublethal doses of ouabain into wild-type flies. The molecular and functional evidence indicates that the insertion has produced a hypomorphic mutation of the (Na+,K+)ATPase alpha subunit gene, opening the way to future studies of the regulation of the Na+ pump.

• Authors: M Schubiger, Y Feng, D M Fambrough, J Palka
• Journal: Neuron (Neuron) Vol. 12 Issue 2 Pg. 373-81 (Feb 1994) ISSN: 0896-6273 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8110464 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• DNA Transposable Elements
• Immunoglobulin G
• Ouabain
• Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase

Topics

• Animals
• Base Sequence
• Blotting, Northern
• Chromosome Mapping
• DNA Transposable Elements (genetics)
• Drosophila (genetics)
• Female
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Genes
• Immunoblotting
• Immunoglobulin G (immunology)
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Mutation
• Ouabain (pharmacology)
• Paralysis (genetics)
• Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase (genetics, immunology)